Do You Need Storage When Moving House?
- Lyons Removals and Storage
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Moving house doesn’t always go in a straight line. On paper, it looks really simple: Sell → Buy → Move. But in reality, we see it every week and it doesn't always go exactly to plan.
That’s where storage comes in and more importantly, knowing when you might need it before you’re in a panic.
Most people don’t plan for storage
When you’re planning a move, storage usually isn’t top of the list is it. You’re main concerns are thinking about:
Surveys
Packing
Completion dates
Getting the keys
Not:👉 “Where will all our stuff go if something changes on the day?”
We are not here to frighten you but we see huge shifts all the time... delays happen.
And when they do, storage suddenly goes from “maybe” to “we need this today.”
When people actually need storage
These are the most common situations we see:
1. Delays in the chain
Your sale completes…but your purchase doesn’t.
👉 You’re out of your house, you did everything perfectly and on time
👉 But you can’t get into the next one
This is one of the biggest reasons people need storage and it often happens last minute.
2. Downsizing (or just having more than you thought)
You don’t always realise how much you own until it’s in boxes.
Sometimes:
Furniture doesn’t fit
Rooms are smaller
You just want less clutter
We have moved people to smaller homes, who where CONVINCED that their stuff would fit and it simply didn't - it's like Jenga trying to get everything in and they haven't been able to see the ceiling in the spare room - with stuff still left over sitting on the van. Storage gives you breathing room to decide what stays and what goes in this situation.
3. Gap between moving dates
You might be:
Waiting on renovations
Between rental agreements
Moving in stages
Instead of rushing everything into one day and working around it, storage lets you move on your terms.
4. Moving day chaos (it happens more than you think)
Completion gets delayed, it's a fact. Keys aren’t released. Buyers are waiting outside.
And suddenly…you’ve got a full house in a van with nowhere to go. This is where having a backup plan (like a removals company with a storage facility) makes all the difference.
How Much Does Storage Cost?
Across the UK, storage typically costs:
£15 – £30 per week (containerised storage)
£20 – £50+ per week (self-storage units)
At Lyons Removals:
👉 Storage starts from £12 per week
👉 No minimum term (past week one)
👉 Flexible if plans change
That flexibility can be the key component in managing stress levels, because moving plans do change.
What Most People Don’t Realise About Storage
Not all storage works the same way. At Lyons, we use containerised storage, which means:
Your items are securely packed into a container
Stored safely in our warehouse
Protected from damage and weather
The only thing to keep in mind: Access needs to be booked in advance (because we use a forklift to retrieve your container safely)
Why Storage Isn’t Just About Space
People think storage is just about “putting their stuff somewhere” but really, it’s there to:
Reduce pressure on moving day
Give you time to make decisions
Have a backup plan when things change
It can turn a stressful situation into a manageable one.
Storage isn’t always essential for a domestic move but when you need it, you really need it and having it already thought about it or having it there in mind as a safety net can save you:
Stress
Time
Last-minute decisions
If you’re planning a move and want to talk through your options, including what our storage solutions look like and whether we think you will need it. We’re always happy to help.
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